Crespi hoops is close to being at full strength

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No one likes to lose, least of all Russell White, the basketball coach at Crespi. He was one of the private school’s biggest supporters when it came to rooting for the football team this season, all the way through the Celts’ remarkable Southern Section playoff run that ended over the weekend with a 13-3 loss to Long Beach Poly in the Pac-5 Division title game.

White was as loyal as they come, attending all but one game on the gridiron. I do, however, wonder just how disappointed he was with the setback. After all, several of his players, including Blake Stanton and Joe Fauria, could not join the basketball team until their commitments with football were completed. Knowing his roster is now set in stone, one has to think White is relieved deep down inside.

‘Come on now, I wanted a football championship just as much anyone else here on campus,’’ White said without hesitation Tuesday afternoon. ‘We support each other. All the programs support each other. Honestly, almost half of our hoops guys played football. It is what it is. No questions asked.’’

Fair enough. I knew White wouldn’t admit to being somewhat happy, not at someone else’s expense, let alone the football team’s expense. It’s not his style. Never has been, never will be. He doesn’t have to say it, but I know he’s taking comfort in the fact that, on Thursday, the Celts will finally have everyone together at basketball practice for the first time this year.

-- Sean Ceglinsky